Advent Reading - January 1

And when eight days were accomplished
for the circumcising of the child,
His name was called JESUS,
which was so named of the angel
before He was conceived in the womb.
And when the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses were accomplished,
they brought Him to Jerusalem,
to present Him to the Lord;

(As it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb 
shall be called holy to the Lord;)
And to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said in the law of the Lord,
A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem,
whose name was Simeon;
and the same man was just and devout,
waiting for the consolation of Israel:
and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost,
that he should not see death, 
before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple:
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to do for him after the custom of the law,
then took he him up in his arms,
and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart in peace,
according to Thy word:
For my eyes have seen Thy salvation,

Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things
which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, 
and said unto Mary His mother,
Behold, this Child is set 
for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;
and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

So that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And a sword will pierce through thy own soul also.
(Luke 2:21-35)